Unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the African market for unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee saw initial contraction to 1 297 thousand tonnes in 2019 before expanding to 1 416 thousand tonnes in 2020. The sector's activity during this period was marked by intensified monitoring and strategic planning within South Africa's coffee industry, which helped streamline market operations and logistics.

Market volume stabilized at 1 422 thousand tonnes in 2021, then rose to 1 491 thousand tonnes in 2022. This growth coincided with Ethiopia's historic coffee export performance, driven by government and Coffee and Tea Authority initiatives to enhance product quality and boost shipment volumes. The following year, the market receded to 1 426 thousand tonnes. This occurred alongside Kenya's full enforcement of the 2019 Coffee (General) Regulations, which strengthened handling from factory to auction and improved market credibility, and Ethiopia's continued export expansion under reforms aimed at increasing productivity and specialty coffee output.

Production unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

World map of production of unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee, 2017-2020

Africa's production of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 1 883 thousand tons, marking a moderate increase of 3.8% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 29.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of Africa's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 920 million US dollars, representing an 11.2% gain from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 289 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's export volume of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee reached 741.5 thousand tons in 2020, down by 6.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 535.7 thousand tons, which experienced the largest decline of 15.3%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2019 at 791.2 thousand tons, with the largest increase of 47.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee was exported to a diverse range of markets. Germany accounted for 13.5% of exports in volume, Italy for 11.5%, and Belgium for 8.6%, together making up 33.7% of total exports. The remaining 66.3% was distributed among numerous smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of Africa's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee exports has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 937 million US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 383 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 29.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 39.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the distribution of export values remained widely spread across countries. Germany represented 13.1% of exports in value, the United States 10.7%, and Belgium 9.1%, together accounting for just 32.9% of total flows. No single partner emerged as clearly dominant during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports unroasted, not decaffeinated coffee to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's import volume of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 274.8 thousand tons, showing little change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 22%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 204.3 thousand tons, which experienced the largest decline of 9.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a 34.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Vietnam was the leading source for Africa's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee by volume, accounting for 29.1%. Indonesia followed with 12.8%, and Brazil with 9.3%. Together, these three markets represented 51.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, the value of Africa's unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee imports has increased. In 2020, imports were valued at 659 million US dollars, marking a modest gain of 5.9% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 11.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 622 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 10.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Vietnam, Indonesia, and Brazil—collectively accounted for 54.2% of the total value of Africa's imports of unroasted, non-decaffeinated coffee.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020